beach//reece bibby

21.3.17

I lucked out off my final social studies to spend an early evening at the beach. The paleness off the sky made me create a mental mind map of how I'd perceive this view in art form. I'd use oil paints as usual, smearing down an aqua base and using a fan brush coated in white paint and a pale apricot on the ends to give an ombré effect on the clouds. Once that had dried I'd then cover it in white tissue paper, adding texture but also encapsulating the frostiness in the air. I opened up my phone and took a couple of images, but they came out darker and more saturated than it seemed in real life, at least I had a vision in my head of this evening.
I warmed myself up by taking a sip of the hot chocolate I had bought at college. It was thirty pence and wonderfully delicious. It slid down my throat like silk, so chocolatey but it had a tickle of cinnamon that danced on my tongue. The bitterness of the wind burnt my exposed skin and I was contemplating walking back home and grabbing some warmer clothes; or even just staying there and avoid Reece for the second day running.

"Hi," his Northern voice called out, answering my dilemma.

I looked over and smiled, he'd dressed for this wintry weather, a thick maroon jumper lay underneath his green Parker jacket, he also had a black scarf and beanie to match.

"You must be freezing," he laughed, still standing as he towered over me.

"Yeah," I sighed, in attempt to pull my fur-lined, denim jacket further across my body.

"I was going to grab some food, wanna come?" He asked and I nodded. The brisk walk down the cliff and to the food shacks would hopefully be enough to warm me up.

We queued side by side at a new shack called 'Plaice By The Sea', their menu was mainly fished based and I wasn't sure what Reece was going to order from here. He pulled out a wad of those yellow advertisements about the 'Open Mic Night' and I smiled, he seemed passionate about it and that was special to see.

"If you could buy me tickets for that, I would love to go," I smiled at him, pointing to his sheet.

He looked over to me with bright eyes and a smile so sweet and genuine that sends a great warmth that rushes through me.

"No need, just you being there is enough for me," he beamed, as he touched my shoulder.

"Are you sure?" I asked and he confirmed with a simple nod.

We shuffled further up the queue, I could see Reece debating between the multiple options on the menu, his eyes flickering from top to bottom.

"Next!" The waitresses bored and monotone voice called out to us. Reece walked up, his twenty pound note on the wooden counter.
My eyes lay upon this girl and I was frozen in place; my eyes widened, taking in this sight and try to tell myself this wasn't happening. Anger and shock erupted through my veins and my mouth became instantly dry. It's like the moment had paused temporarily and I could see the colours as they became bolder and bright and the silence became sinister as it drowned through my ears.
I could tell from her facial expression she felt this exact way.
Reece looked over at me, wondering what the hell was happening, but I didn't want him staring at me and making me the centre of attention. I subtly whacked his hand so she couldn't see what I was doing.
Without warning, I felt his hand slip into mine, his fingers intertwining as he gave me squeeze. It reminded me of the night in my car and the storm that scared me. With just his touch I felt like my problems were melting away.

"Yeah fish and chips," he spoke to her, with every word that dripped out of his mouth I became more agitated that he was giving his time and energy to her, he shouldn't be. She didn't deserve it. I gave his hand a squeeze but winced in embarrassment realising how needy I was coming across, to someone who didn't even class me as a friend.

She took his money and placed his change in his hand, I watched as her pinky finger lightly grazed across the lines of his palm and I felt more anger as it boiled through me.

Can you put this up please?" Reece asked, sliding over his 'Open Mic Night' sheet. I growled as she took it behind the counter, she shot a fake smile back at us.

"Of course. Anything for you, Shy?" she asked, a smarmy smirk plastered on her face and I knew she was only doing this to become the alpha amongst us, but I was done with her petty games, I was done with them a while ago.

I tugged at Reece's hand and we left, his hand till in mine and the other holding a paper bag filled with fish and chips that oozed with oil.

He didn't let my hand go until we got the cliff and inwardly I sighed at the lack of his touch, wondering what was slowly overcoming me.

"What was that?" Reece asked, opening the paper bag, letting the hot smoke out, I watched as it performed in ribbons in front of us. "Or is that too much?"

It's like he knew. It upset me that our place now also somewhat partially hers too. I wished to never see her again and I knew we'd have to find another special place. Just for us.